Church History 1 (From the Fall of Jerusalem to the Reformation)

By NatWell85
  • Period: 35 to 107

    Ignatius of Antioch (7/10)

    Wrote a number of influential letters on his way to martyrdom. These letters are some of the earliest testimonies we have to christian beliefs. The letters inspired Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution. (c. 35–107)
  • Period: 69 to 155

    Polycarp of Smyrna (4/10)

    He was the subject of the account "The Martyrdom of Polycarp." Persecutors bound him, burned him, and stabbed him when the fire failed to kill him. His martyrdom inspired Christians to face persecution boldly.
  • 70

    The Fall of Jerusalem (9/10)

    Before AD 70 Christianity was emerging within the framework of Jewish religion. The fall of Jerusalem forced the church out on it's own. The "most momentous aspects of that move were the establishment of a fixed set of authoritative Christian writings added to the Hebrew Scriptures, the emergence of an episcopal system to order the church's life, and the development of succinct statements of faith to express its grasp of the truth." (Noll, 36)
  • Period: 100 to 156

    Justin Martyr (5/10)

    Persuasively defended christianity against pagan accusations. One of the first well known Christian apologists in the post-apostolic era. Died for his Christian beliefs. Lived from 100–156.
  • Period: 130 to 202

    Irenaeus of Lyons (6/10)

    Combatted Gnosticism and advocated communion with God. His writings helped develop early Christian theology. He wrote "Against Heresies." (c. 130–202)
  • 150

    Apostles Creed (9.5/10)

    It was first formed in Rome c. 150 as a "symbol" of orthodoxy to refute Gnostics and Marcionites. Church leaders used it at baptism. Became a standard of orthodoxy.
  • Period: 150 to 215

    Clement of Alexandria (7/10)

    Pope Julian ordained him as a priest. Evangelized pagans by appealing to philosophy to prove Christianity.
  • Period: 150 to 240

    Tertullian of Carthage (3/10)

    Sarcastically defended scripture against philosophical heresies and wrote the first treatise on baptism. Wrote "Apostolic Tradition."
  • 170

    Muratorian Canon (9/10)

    Written at the end of the 2nd century. Records a list of recognized books of scripture. notes the pastoral epistles by Paul. Gives six criteria for inclusion of a book as scripture. Muratori found this document in the 8th century.
  • Period: 184 to 253

    Origen of Alexandria (7/10)

    Defended Christianity in "Against Celsus" and wrote many works on scripture including many commentaries.
  • Period: 200 to 258

    Cyprian of Carthage (3/10)

    The church elected him bishop in Carthage. He fled Carthage during persecution. Handled the problem of "lapses" after the wave of persecution.
  • Period: 251 to 356

    Anthony (5/10)

    According to Athanasius, he founded monasticism. He gave up his inheritance to follow Jesus. Many came to him for instruction and spiritual guidance. After living alone for a while he agreed to live communally in order to teach others.
  • Period: 260 to 340

    Eusebius of Caesarea (6/10)

    He was the bishop of Caesarea. He was a very learned Christian. Wrote the first complete history of the Christian church call "Church History."
  • Period: 272 to 337

    Constantine (8/10)

    He became sole rule of both East and West. He became the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. Constantine established Christianity as the religion of the empire. He called the First Council of Nicaea. Christianity grew in many different ways during his reign.
  • Period: 292 to 348

    Pachomius (4/10)

    Many recognize him as the founder of Cenobitic (community life) monasticism. Pachomius sought to reform and renew the church through his cenobitic monasticism.
  • Period: 296 to 373

    Athanasius of Alexandria (8/10)

    He was bishop of Alexandria. He wrote "On the Incarnation" in order to combat Arianism. He was a leading figure in the First Council of Nicaea.
  • 325

    Council of Nicaea (9.5/10)

    Constantine called this council in 325. The church affirmed the deity of Jesus. "Nicaea bequeathed a dual legacy—of sharpened fidelity to the great and saving truths of revelation, and also of increasing intermingling of church and world." (Noll, 55)
  • Period: 329 to 390

    Gregory of Nazianzus (6/10)

    He presided over the Council of Constantinople. He was the Archbishop of Constantinople. Wrote extensively on Trinitarian Theology. He is one of the Cappadocian Fathers.
  • Period: 330 to 379

    Basil the Great (4/10)

    The church in Caesarea elected him Bishop. He spent a lot of time out of the city in communal monastic communities. He wrote "Against Eunomius" and "On the Holy Spirit."
  • Period: 335 to 395

    Gregory of Nyssa (5/10)

    He was an accomplished theologian. He contributed to the doctrine of the Trinity and the Nicene Creed. Origen influenced his philosophical writings. He is one of the Cappadocian fathers.
  • Period: 336 to 397

    Martin of Tours (1/10)

    He was monk. The church at Tours elected him bishop. He continued to live his monastic life as much as possible. From his example, a monastic life became identified with an ideal bishop. (316 or 336 –397)
  • Period: 340 to 397

    Ambrose (7/10)

    He governed Milan when previous bishop died. Initially, he did not want to be bishop but eventually agreed. He made the theology of the East accessible to Latin speakers in the West. He baptized Augustine. Empress Justina sent him to avert an invasion by Maximus.
  • Period: 347 to 420

    Jerome (6/10)

    Tried to escape sensual desires by learning Hebrew and taking up an ascetic lifestyle. The church in Antioch ordained him as a presbyter. He translated the Vulgate directly from Hebrew and Greek.
  • Period: 349 to 407

    John Chrysostom (7/10)

    He was a preacher and pastor. Many of his sermons are still available. He denounced public leaders for their abuse of authority. He preached from scripture and set a standard for future preachers and teachers.
  • Period: 354 to 430

    Augustine (9/10)

    Recorded his conversion story in a book called "Confessions." Became the most influential western theologian. The church in Hippo appointed him bishop. Wrote many influential works that guided the church in theological controversies. His works played a significant role in the time of the reformation.
  • Period: 360 to 418

    Pelagius (6/10)

    He advocated free will and asceticism. Augustine accused him of denying the need for God in order to perform good works. He denied original sin and tried to show that man, apart from God, had everything he needed in order to obey God.
  • 431

    Council of Ephesus (5/10)

    Theodosius II convened the council. They confirmed the original nicene creed, condemned heresies, and declared Mary as the "Theotokos." Cyril of Alexandria conducted the council before the Antiochian representatives arrived.
  • Period: 432 to 457

    Patrick (9/10)

    He evangelized the Irish. He was known for his missionary zeal. Reformed many aspects of Irish culture and established churches throughout Ireland. *There is some debate as to the exact dating of his life. I have set the start date as year Patrick arrived in Ireland and the end date as the earliest proposed death date.
  • Period: 440 to 461

    Pope Leo the Great (6/10)

    He was the Bishop of Rome from 440–461. He claimed the title Pontificus Maximus. Negotiated with the Huns in 451 and was able to avoid the complete sacking of Rome. Because of this he missed the Chalcedon council but he gained much political power.
  • 451

    Council of Chalcedon (8/10)

    Debated the nature of Christ's person. Chalcedon insisted "on both the integrity of Christ's person and the duality of his natures" (Noll, 75). This had important applications for Christians. As Noll says, "[it] established a tremendously important guide for Christian life in the world." (Noll, 75)
  • Period: 480 to 524

    Boethius (2/10)

    Wrote “Consolation of Philosophy”, which significantly shaped medieval philosophy and thought.
  • Period: 527 to 565

    Justinian I (2/10)

    He sought to re-establish the glory of the early Roman Empire. Tried to establish the monarchy of Christianity even further and aimed to unite the church. Constructed the Hagia Sophia. Ruled between 527–565.
  • 530

    Benedict's Rule (6/10)

    It was a rule of order for monasteries. The 12 steps of humility became the basis for Benedictine spirituality. This rule became the standard for western monasticism. Benedicts rule was "not only a critical turning point in the history of Christianity but even, by God's grace, the very rescue of the church itself." (Noll, 97)
  • Period: 543 to 615

    Columbanus (5/10)

    He was an Irish missionary. He founded a number of monasteries in the Frankish and Lombard kingdoms. He spread the gospel in Scotland.
  • Period: 590 to 604

    Pope Gregory the Great (6/10)

    He was the bishop of Rome from 590–604. Revised (reformed?) Roman worship. He was known as "the father of Christian Worship."
  • Period: 800 to 814

    Charlemagne (4/10)

    He united much of Europe during the early middle ages. He is called the "Father of Europe." His rule brought about the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of energetic cultural and intellectual activity within the Western Church. His coronation was Christmas day, 800.
  • 988

    Russian Orthodoxy (6/10)

    Vladimir the Great is baptized in 988. He spreads orthodoxy into Russia.
  • Period: 1034 to 1109

    Anselm of Canterbury (7/10)

    He developed the "Ontological Argument for God." He explained the atonement by saying that since we have sinned against an infinite God, we need an infinite atonement. Therefore, the atonement requires Christ (both God and man) to die.
  • 1054

    The Great Schism (9/10)

    Schism between East and West. Pope Leo IX sent an ambassador to Constantinople to pronounce the east as heretical. Though finalized in 1054 the schism was already partially existing from differences in ecclesiology, theological difference, and claims to power.
  • Period: 1090 to 1153

    Bernard of Clairvaux (3/10)

    He was a monastic leader and reformer. He was a mystic he spent much time in "contemplative prayer." He was also an accomplished preacher. He is most well known for his treatise, "On Loving God."
  • Period: 1095 to 1270

    Crusades (4/10)

    The popes sought to take back the holy land from Muslims. The crusades were complex and were probably more political that religious. The popes used religious rhetoric to convince people to fight.
  • Period: 1182 to 1226

    Francis of Assisi (8/10)

    Francis forsook comforts and money to live a monastic life. He began his own "order" and soon had a sizable following. This was during a time when the church's pious practices were lacking. His order continued on after his death and they were known as the Franciscans. Franciscans preaching, singing, and begging became a common sight throughout Western Europe
  • 1215

    Fourth Lateran Council (5/10)

    This was the largest medieval council with 400 bishops and 800 abbots. They condemned Albigensians and Waldensians. They formalized transubstantiation. They called the Eastern church back to the Roman church. They declared that there would be no new relics or saints without papal authority. They declared that they would not allow any new orders.
  • Period: 1221 to 1274

    Bonaventure (1/10)

    He was the third leader of the Franciscans. He was faithful to the Augustinian tradition. He prioritized the Scriptures. He worked on the doctrine of Divine Illumination and Exemplarism.
  • Period: 1225 to 1274

    Thomas Aquinas (2/10)

    Planned to be a Franciscan, but later joined the Dominocians, despite his family's protests. He was a brilliant theologian who wrote in ways that are difficult to understand. He argued that faith and reason were not irreconcilable, but rather compatible. He wrote "Summa Theologica."
  • Period: 1300 to

    Renaissance Humanism (4/10)

    Marked by three characteristics:
    1. Constant search for ever sutbler and finely posed questions.
    2. Increasing rift between philosophy and religion.
    3. The tendency to make salvation a goal through human action.
    During this time, books became more accessible and the discipline of textual criticism arose. Also during this time, the papacy became increasingly corrupt.
  • Period: 1328 to 1385

    John Wycliffe (9.5/10)

    He was a "proto-reformer." He taught that the true church consists of the invisible body of believers, not the visible papacy. Translated the Latin Vulgate into common language. He denied transubstantiation. Many condemned him as a heretic.
  • Period: 1362 to 1415

    John Huss (9/10)

    Wycliffe's writing influenced him to preach against the papacy. At one point, he had to flee Prague because he preached against clerical excesses. He believed that scripture was the final authority, not the pope. The Roman Catholic church martyred him by fire.
  • Period: 1452 to 1498

    Girolamo Savonarola (6/10)

    He was concerned with holiness and service in the church. He sought to reform church practices. A mob tortured him and accused him of heresy. He influenced Martin Luther to persevere in the face of persecution.
  • 1521

    Diet of Worms (10/10)

    Roman Catholic church puts Luther on trial for heresy. Luther is unable and unwilling to back down from his claims. Luther continues the tradition of the church going back to the apostles by breaking away from the Roman Catholic church. "Luther's vision of God was timely, necessary, and—despite all the bluster and excess with which it was expressed—right." (Noll, 164)